Police, community and calendar briefs for Sept. 29, 2013

Police, community and calendar briefs for Sept. 29, 2013 are featured.

POLICE BEAT

4 motorcycles stolen from locked trailer

SALT SPRINGS — Four motorcycles, tools and gear valued close to $20,000 were reported stolen from a Salt Springs residence on Friday, according to officials.

In his report, Deputy Gary Skinner noted the victim said the motorcycles, worth $16,500 combined, and the equipment, worth another $2,800, were left in a secured trailer on his property located in the 18700 block of E. County Road 316. The motorcycles and equipment were used to ride nearby trails, he said.

Returning to his residence, the man said he noticed the locks on the trailer were cut. Opening the trailer, the man said the motorcycles and other property were missing.

Anyone with any information about this incident can call the Sheriff's Office at 732-9111, Crime Stoppers at 368-STOP, text a tip to 274637 using the keyword 368stop or respond via www.ocalacrimestoppers.com.

Man charged with burglarizing two homes

A Marion County sheriff's deputy arrested a 38-year-old Ocala man Friday for residential burglary and grand theft after the individual was accused of burglarizing two homes.

In one of the burglaries, Stephen W. Smith had to be physically removed by one of the homeowners, according to officials.

One of the victims, a resident at Golden Hills Mobile Home Park located off West State Road 40, told Deputy Christine Peters he was watching television in the living room when he heard the dog growling at the front door.

The victim said a man entered his residence, telling him he belongs there and was attempting to walk down the hallway. The homeowner, who was in a wheelchair, said he grabbed a device used to pick up objects, placed it at the intruder's neck and ushered the stranger outside.

Outside, the suspect, later identified as Smith, also a resident of the mobile home park, ran to an unoccupied mobile home where he removed several books and a microwave, a witness told the deputy.

Two months after a 35-year-old man was charged with possession of cocaine and resisting an officer without violence after officials warned him not to purchase cocaine that someone offered to sell him, prosecutors have decided not to pursue the drug charge, according to court records.

Documents indicate the drug charge against David Eugene Caban was not prosecuted by the State Attorney's Office. However, on the charge of resisting an officer without violence, Caban was adjudicated guilty and received an eight-day sentence, plus fines and court cost. He wasn't sent to jail as he had received credit for time served, records show.

Caban's case was resolved on Friday, according to court records.

On July 26, authorities said Caban told a sheriff's deputy he was going to call and tell a man that he wanted $60 worth of crack so deputies could arrest the alleged dealer. The deputy told him not to pursue the transaction and to call the Sheriff's Office if the person returned to the area, so law enforcement could handle the situation.

During the conversation, Caban told the deputy he saw a vehicle approaching the area and believed it may be the reported dealer.

The deputy, along with other personnel, responded to the area, but it was not the person Caban was talking about. They then left the area.

Later, the deputy was notified that Caban had called the Sheriff's Office, saying the individual had returned to the area, sold him crack cocaine and he was holding it in his driveway.

Returning to the area, the deputy asked Caban why he purchased the drugs and Caban told him he was never told not to purchase any drugs. Caban then walked away, deputies said.

After ignoring commands to stop, Caban was arrested and taken to the Marion County Jail.

GIVE BACK NIGHT: 5 to 10 p.m. Monday, Chili's, 3501 SW 36th Ave. Customers must tell server they are there for Give Back Night and 10 percent of check will be donated to Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. (237-6611 or www.chilis.com)